Commercial Support Specialist (New Graduate) at Thales Avionics, Inc. (IFE) in Irvine, California

Job Description:

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Commercial Support Specialist – New Graduate

Irvine, CA (Onsite)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Commercial Support Specialist (CSS) to be responsible for supporting the planning and implementation of activities that lead to timely delivery of proposal to the Sales organization and subsequently to our customers.  This includes direct reporting to the VP, Bid and Proposal Management (VPBPM) with a specific focus on support to the Director of Proposal and Value Proposition (DPVP).  Under the guidance of the VPBPM and DPVP, the CSS will facilitate bid compliance matrix creation and responses, assist in populating the Loopio database, and review compliance responses for thoroughness, grammar and appropriateness. The CSS will assist in the creation of MS Teams channels and work on maintaining standard technical and commercial proposal documents. The CSS is also responsible for ad hoc report generation synthesizing data gathered from SalesForce, Loopio, the Bid Management file repository and other bid related databases.

In this position you will also coordinate recurring meeting activities and liaise with other Thales departments and groups outside of Bid and Proposal Management to facilitate communications and understanding of ongoing bid and proposal activities.  The CSS may perform other ad hoc duties to support the Bid Managers to facilitate timely and accurate delivery of proposals to the Sales organization in response to customer RFP’s.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• To provide general ad hoc support to the VP, Bid and Proposal Management, relative to bid and proposal activity for specific accounts which may require additional attention to augment the bid manager role. To provide internal support including assisting the Director of Proposal and Value Proposition with quote or proposal generation, compliance matrix support, data entry and support to the Sales organization to facilitate timely delivery of proposals to the customer.  


• To monitor and track the proposal development process to ensure timely delivery of proposals to the customer.  Will also keep records of proposal activity to be used to evaluate success rate and other metrics associated with monitoring sales effectiveness. 


• To monitor and facilitate the activities of the relevant groups (e.g., Purchasing, Marketing, Communications, Customer Service, Sales, Publications, and Legal) towards creating robust, compelling and competitive proposals to our customers.


• May assist the Bid Manager on designated accounts to ensure bids are developed following the established gate process and in a timely manner to meet Sales and customer expectations.


• To communicate with the Regional Sales Director (RSD), maintaining an awareness of current bid processes, and evolutions that may impact the creation and delivery of proposals to the customer.  To stay current on corporate objectives and strategy as a framework for sales strategy and tactical development and performance measurements. To assist in the liaison with Airline Global Services (AGS) relative to customer support and Account Management Team activities relative to the global Sales organization.


• The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification.  Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, English, Business Administration or a related field with a minimum of 0-2 years of experience or Master’s degree in Communications, Marketing, English, or Business Administration or related field with 0-2+ years of relevant work experience. 


• LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write, proofread and copy edit routine reports, proposal documents, correspondence and white papers.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.


• MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of financial principals.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.


• REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to prioritize multiple simultaneous assignments with varying due dates.


• COMPUTER SKILLS: Understanding and ability to utilize the Microsoft Office applications to generate reports, documents and presentations, enter data and interpret Excel spreadsheets.  Ability to work within the Microsoft Teams environment to initiate teams channels, conduct meetings and collaborate on completing compliance matrices.


• ADVANCE COMPUTER SKILLS: Ability to learn additional software application packages such as LOOPIO, Salesforce, Devirprop and other digital tools that may come in to use from time to time. 

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Special Position Requirements

• 
  Schedule: Core Business Hours Monday-Friday. Hybrid work schedule an option, as agreed upon with manager.  May be requested to work outside core business hours to accommodate discussions in the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific time zones.


• 
  Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.


• 
  Travel: None.


• 
  Regulatory Compliance Requirements: None.

What We Offer

The anticipated TTC range for this role is $70,000 - $100,000 USD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law. 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Elective Health and Dental plans. 


• Retirement Savings Plan with a company contribution and a match, and without vesting period. 


• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 


• Company provided Life Insurance.

Why Join Us?

Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here.

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with (a) criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

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